"We found the payment process was confusing for some consumers, and in response, we have taken action to eliminate as much difficulty as possible," said MNsure's interim Chief Executive Officer Scott Leitz. "More than 100,000 Minnesotans have enrolled in health insurance through MNsure, and with the March 31 deadline looming, we want to make it as easy as possible for thousands more to enroll for 2014."

Consumers will no longer be sent an invoice issued by MNsure for the first month's premium. This process caused some to believe that MNsure would continue to invoice them every month for coverage, when in fact, subsequent premiums are paid directly to the health insurer.

Minnesotans can now choose to pay their first month's premium in one of two ways:

Option #1: Online at www.mnsure.org

To pay online, consumers using mnsure.org must complete all application, plan selection and payment steps in one sitting. This eliminates the need to return to the website to complete enrollment. MNsure strongly recommends this method in order to ensure coverage begins when intended by the consumer.

Option #2: Invoiced by the health insurance company

Consumers who prefer to pay their health insurance company directly can select that option when they reach the "select a payment method" step in the enrollment process at mnsure.org. Choosing this option means the consumer will be billed directly by the insurance company.

If consumers do not pay online, they will be billed directly by their insurance company, and can no longer pay MNsure for their first month's premium.

Those consumers who have received an invoice from MNsure, or who receive one in the coming days, should pay that invoice as soon as possible, as some MNsure invoices were issued before this change went into effect.

Meet the deadlines below to ensure you have coverage in 2014 and avoid the penalty for not having insurance:

Coverage beginning April 1: Select a plan and pay the premium in full by March 15.

Coverage beginning May 1: Select a plan and pay the premium in full by March 31.

Avoid the penalty for not having health insurance: Select a plan and pay the premium in full by March 31.